Grain & Co-Products Merchandiser

Green Plains Inc. • Madison, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Grain and Co-Products Merchandiser is responsible for developing and executing grain and feed merchandising strategies that optimize plant profitability, strengthen supply chain performance, and build lasting relationships with producers, customers, and industry partners. This position manages origination, procurement, marketing, and logistics for grain and related feed coproducts, ensuring consistent supply and market competitiveness. The Grain and Co-Products Merchandiser collaborates closely with plant operations, logistics, and risk management teams to achieve commercial and operational objectives that align with Green Plains’ mission of transforming renewable crops into sustainable value-added ingredients.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Agriculture, Agribusiness, or related field required.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in grain procurement, merchandising, or feed ingredient trading.
• Strong understanding of commodity markets, grain pricing, and hedging tools (CBOT).
• Exceptional analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and willingness to learn new software applications.
• Excellent organizational and communication abilities with a strong sense of urgency and attention to detail.
• Ability to build strong professional relationships and work effectively in diverse teams.
• Demonstrated leadership, business acumen, and sound judgment in assessing opportunities and risk.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis and be able to maintain ongoing work authorization without employer sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with physical agricultural trading, transportation, or arbitrage strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement marketing strategies that support grain origination and feed merchandising, ensuring profitability and risk-balanced performance.
• Monitor and analyze market trends, USDA reports, and Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) data to guide buying, selling, and position management decisions.
• Manage forward positions, inventory levels, and price risk to maximize margins and reduce exposure.
• Provide customers and suppliers with timely market information, pricing opportunities, and risk management support.
• Oversee and manage grain origination, procurement, and feed coproduct merchandising for assigned locations.
• Ensure consistent and cost-effective supply of grain to plant operations while meeting quality and grading standards.
• Identify and develop strong relationships with producers, suppliers, integrators, and end-users.
• Collaborate with leadership to coordinate trading, logistics, and contract execution between plants and corporate merchandising teams.
• Support merchandising of coproducts including Dried, Modified, and Wet Distillers Grains (DDGS, MDGS, WDGS), Corn Fermented Protein, and related feed ingredients.
• Coordinate transportation and logistics to ensure timely delivery of grain and coproducts.
• Maintain compliant and efficient inventory tracking systems consistent with internal and regulatory requirements.
• Manage day-to-day operations of merchandising and logistics, ensuring alignment with corporate and local plant objectives.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with local producers, customers, and integrators to enhance market reach and loyalty.
• Provide exceptional customer service and act as a primary contact for producers and buyers regarding contracts, deliveries, and market insights.
• Represent Green Plains professionally in all community and customer interactions.
• Work closely with management, operations, and risk teams to align merchandising activity with overall business strategy.
• Support and potentially lead a merchandising team responsible for multiple products and market areas.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives related to pricing, logistics, and customer service.

Benefits

• Salaried
• Annual Bonus (based on company milestones and individual performance as determined by the Company)
• Business casual work environment
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401(k) retirement plan with immediate vesting and company safe harbor matching

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level